The High Court has banned the streaming of ‘Faraaz’, the recently released Indian movie which is based on the worst terrorist attack in Bangladesh, on online platforms of Bangladesh.
The HC bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir issued the order on Monday (February 20) following a writ petition filed against the screening of the movie in cinema halls and online platforms in the country.
Ruba Ahmed, whose daughter Abinta Kabir was killed in the terrorist attack in the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka on July 1 in 2016, filed the writ petition on February 12. Advocate Md Mostafizur Rahman filed the petition on behalf of the mother.
The HC bench held hearing on the issue on Sunday (February 19) and fixed Monday (February 20) to hear the writ petition further and issue order.
The writ petition sought High Court’s direction to not release ‘Faraaz’ in cinema halls of Bangladesh. The direction of the higher court against the promotion of ‘Faraaz’ on online platforms, including OTT, Netflix and Amazon has also been sought.
Information Secretary, Home Secretary, IGP and BTRC were made defendants in the writ petition.
Barrister Rokan Uddin Mahmud and Advocate Ahsanul Karim stood for the writ petitioner in the court, while Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar represented the state.
Advocate Ahsanul Karim said, “As the film is yet to be approved by the Censor Board, the High Court directive does not mention a ban on screening in cinema halls.”
The movie ‘Faraaz’ was released in India on February 3 after the Delhi High Court refused to block the release of the film.
Some of the victims’ family members made every effort to stop the release of the film but to no avail as their request went in vain.
Two mothers, whose daughters Abinta Kabir and Tarishi Jain were killed in the terrorist attack, had filed a case in Indian court against the filmmakers stating that the film is named after the girls’ best friend Faraaz and the film depicted the two victims in a bad light.
The Indian court adjourned the appeal made by the mothers of Abinta Kabir and Tarishi Jain. However, the movie ‘Faraaz’ was released following the disposal by the court.
Later, families of Holey Artisan Bakery terrorist attack victims began a legal battle in Bangladesh so that the movie cannot be released in any cinema and online platforms in the country.
Produced by T-Series and Benaras Media Works, the movie is directed by Indian filmmaker Hansal Mehta based on the terrorist attack at Holey Artisan Bakery.
At least 22 people, including 17 foreign nationals, were killed in the attack. Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain and Abinta Kabir were among the victims alongside Tarishi Jain and Ishrat Akhond. Two police officers were also killed in the attack.
Since the trailer of Hansal Mehta’s much-talked-about Bollywood film ‘Faraaz’ was released, Ruba Ahmed took to the media to express her objections to releasing and promoting the film in Bangladesh.
“The footage in the movie shows two militants talking, one of whom was or is in a relationship with Abinta. Her clothes were shown in a way educated families in our civilized society would never wear. The character of the girl was degraded in the movie,” said Ahsanul Karim, the lawyer of Ruba Ahmed. The lawyer further said, “The movie showed the failure of law enforcement officers which poses serious questions about our sovereignty. For these reasons, this movie should not be shown on any platform in Bangladesh,” he said.
Earlier, Ruba Ahmed made the same demand in a press conference on January 19 on Abinta Kabir Foundation premises in Dhaka, claiming that the Indian film could damage the reputation of Bangladesh.
She said that the movie contains unsubstantiated suppositions and factual inaccuracies and will dishonour her daughter’s memory. She has been alleging that the ‘Faraaz’ was made by violating her slain daughter's privacy, without the family's consent and by presenting false information.
The full-length feature film follows a shy 20-year-old by the same name, who stood up to homegrown Islamic State terrorists when taken hostage during the 2016 attack.
The ‘Faraaz’ trailer shows Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain, the central character, as portrayed by Zahan Kapoor.
According to the story, Faraaz went to the Holey Artisan restaurant that night to meet his two friends Abinta Kabir and Tarishi Jain. As the terrorists stormed into the restaurant and segregated the diners, Faraaz was given the option to walk free. He refused to abandon his friends. The three friends were later killed.
Ruba Ahmed issued multiple legal notices to the Indian film director and others concerned to stop the movie. Later, Ruba Ahmed and Jain’s mother Tulika Jain filed a case against Hansal Mehta and producer Bhushan Kumar in the Delhi High Court in 2021.
The court halted the film’s release for six months, but ultimately ruled that there was ‘no prima-facie case" and no personal loss to the petitioners’.
